Betty Gorman

betty gorman
Betty Louise Gorman, age 88, of New Hampton, Iowa died Friday, February 3, 2023 at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Nick Radloff celebrating the Mass. Interment will take place at a later date. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 7:00 p.m. Parish Scripture Service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday at the church. If you're unable to attend please join the family via livestream https://foveo.stream/hugeback-johnson/betty-l-gorman Betty’s long and well-lived life began in New Hampton on November 26, 1934, when William and Arlene (Boos) Denner welcomed their first child into the world. She grew up in the city, attended school, and was a graduate of the Class of 1952 at New Hampton High School. Betty and her friends loved to go dancing at Club Iowa in Charles City, and Betty always hoped that she’d see a handsome young man named Jack Gorman at the club. Once they did meet, the spark was lit and never flamed out. The two began dating, fell in love, and were married on June 25, 1955. The Gormans had six children — Barb, Bev, Tom, Mike, Jim, and Karen — and while Jack ran his tire business, Betty ran the household. She and Jack were their children’s biggest supporters and loved attending their school events and games. When Karen headed off to first grade, Betty went to work at the First National Bank, where she served as a teller until the late 1990s before retiring and volunteering at Comprehensive Systems. Betty had many interests. She and Jack loved to bowl, and both served as league secretaries. Over the years, Betty participated in a number of state bowling tournaments. The Gormans, through a church program called CFM, became lifelong friends with the Hugebacks, Lunemanns, and O’Neills, and the families did almost everything together — including hosting picnics and heading over to Clear Lake for fun-filled weekends. Betty also enjoyed golfing with Jack and playing bridge with her card club friends. Betty continued to play cards, especially euchre, right up to her passing. Jim, Arlie, Mary Jean, Rose, and Stan were her card partners and were a big part of Betty’s life. In 1967, she began what remains a Gorman tradition to this day as the family made the trek to Walker, Minnesota, to spend a week at Leech Lake. Over the years, the event has just gotten bigger and bigger. Betty and Jack were big Iowa Hawkeye fans and attended a number of games at Kinnick Stadium. They also traveled to several bowl games to root on the Hawks, but her favorite team was the New Hampton Chickasaws. She rarely, if ever, missed her grandchildren’s games, meets, and tournaments, and that included the grandkids who went on to play college sports. Betty also enjoyed traveling with friends and saw a good part of the world on vacations to places like Hawaii, the Bahamas, Colorado, Australia, and Normandy. Betty always liked exploring the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Her family and her community always came first. Betty and Jack were named the first “Parents of the Year” by the University of Northern Iowa when Barb, Bev, and Tom were all attending the school. She was a member of the PEO Sisterhood and Rosary Society at St. Joe’s, where for years she ran the “Country Store” during the Fall Festival. Betty had a wonderful zest for life, and all those who knew her will deeply miss her. But, they also know that she is reunited with Jack today, in a far better place. Betty is survived by three daughters, Barb Gorman (Jeff Spreen) of Walker, MN, Bev (Troy) Coody of Longmont, CO, and Karen (Rick) Clemens of New Hampton; three sons, Tom (Lisa) Gorman of Rosemount, MN; Mike (Carie) Gorman of New Hampton, Jim (Janet) Gorman of New Hampton; nineteen grandchildren, Andrew Spreen, T.K. (Christina) Coody, Katie (Kirk) Mitchell, Seth Gorman, Lydia Gorman, Zach (Amanda) Gorman, Tyler (Abby) Gorman, Ryan Gorman, Conner Gorman, Craig (Nicole) Volk, Kristin (Aaron) Anderson, Ryan (Kristin) Volk, Holli (Kaleb) Staack, Nicole (Brett Johnson) Mulford, Matt Mulford, Josh (Jennifer) Clemens, Ericca (Chad Wilking) Clemens, Stephanie (Brent) Sands, Mitchell (Taylor) Clemens; twelve great-grandchildren with one on the way; one brother Glen (Judy) Denner of Oak Grove, AL. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jack, in 2018.

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  1. Betty was one of my favorite women in the world. She had both wit and wisdom. I knew betty for many years and her mother before her. I loved talking with her at the library and elsewhere. She loved a good book and a good card game. But not more than her family. She always talked about family celebrations and vacations. Celebrate her life.

  2. Sending my deepest sympathy to Betty’s family she was a wonderful lady Will be missed by everyone

  3. Betty was so special and one-of-kind. My deepest condolences to the entire Gorman family. Holding you all in my heart.

  4. We are so very sorry for your loss. Betty and Jack were both such wonderful people and a good example to all of us. Our deepest sympahy.

  5. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers to all of the Gorman family.🙏🙏 God has gained another special ANGEL in heaven

  6. I’m so sorry for your loss! Betty was a gem of a lady! We so enjoyed her when she volunteered at the Treasure Chest store. Deepest sympathies to you all!

  7. So sorry to read this. What a wonderful person! My condolences to Betty’s family and friends. Praying for you all.

  8. To all the Gorman family.. Both your parents were super nice, always had a good word. Prayers and hugs coming your way. Randy & Mary Jane Leach

  9. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Gorman family. Betty was a dear lady we enjoyed very much! She will be missed by many!

  10. Sympathy and prayers to all. She will be missed she always brought a smile to my face and I loved the stories she told me hugs to you all.

  11. So very sorry to be reading this. Always enjoyed the monthly coffees at Betty’s, which was so nice of her. . Our prayers and sympathy to all of the family.
    Leon and Nancy Wegner.

  12. My condolences and prayers to Betty’s family. She was a wonderful woman! Always smiling and friendly. Rest in Peace sweet Betty!

  13. Sympathies to the Gorman family. Betty was such a nice lady. Always enjoyed visiting with her. She is now reunited with her beloved Jack. Prayers to all.

  14. Praying for the Gorman family during this most difficult time 🙏 Mothers are the glue to all families ❤️

  15. Aunt Betty was always one of my favorites. My most prominent memories of her all center around her love for her family. All our condolences, love, and best wishes from the Texas Denners: Brett, Maureen, Grace, and Emily.

  16. Betty was a great basketball player too even though our high school was not allowed to have a conference team. We did get to go to “play day” in Cedar Falls though. I was privileged to have lunch with her in August 2021 and also visit with her in her home. Condolences and prayers. Classmate, Esther Kuennen Darnell.

  17. Our sympathy to all of Betty’s family and friends. It was so nice to reconnect with Betty and some of the other bank retirees at the morning coffees Betty so graciously hosted. She will be missed by many.

  18. I’m sorry that I will be out of town on Tuesday and will not be able to attend Betty’s funeral. You will be in my thoughts and prayers as you celebrate her life and what she meant to each of you.

  19. To the entire Gorman family-I send my sincere sympathy. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

  20. Dayton & I remember Jack & Betty so well. I played bridge with Betty for several years. Our first connection was when our son Mike & Jim received their Eagle Scout Awards together in 1982. Jack & Betty loved NH & it showed. They will both be missed. Our deepest sympathies to the family.
    Dayton & Annette Fahning.

  21. Sending our love and prayers. I could always count on a huge hug and smile from Aunt Betty. She will me missed. Hugs to you all.


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